Parliament on Tuesday passed the ‘Chattogram Port Authority Bill incorporating tougher penalty for polluting environment in the port area. State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury moved the bill in the House and it was passed by voice vote.The legislation also abolished the Chittagong Port Authority Ordinance ,1976 as it was promulgated during a military regime. As per the legislation, the punishment for harming the environment by polluting water, land and coast will be fixed as per the environment conservation law. Read: Private bill placed in Parliament to protect agricultural land It also says if any rule under the law is breached and punishment for which is not stated in the environment conservation law, the fine will be six months of imprisonment or Tk two lakh fine or both. According to a new provision incorporated in the bill, the punishment for dodging toll, fee and other charges of the port will invite a one-month jail or fine of Tk one lakh or both. For rent and toll the Authority will formulate a chart and take permission from the government. But for below Tk 5000 rent or toll no permission will be required. Read: World Bank says war shocks to drag on Asian economies The draft law also proposed creation of a fund for the development of the Port. As per the legislation, there will be one Chairman and a seven-member Board for Chattogram Port Authority. In the existing law, there is a 4-member board. The Board will hold at least one meeting in every two months.

The Parliament on Thursday unanimously passed ‘The Bangladesh Tour Operators and Tour Guides (Registration and Operation) Bill, 2021’ to make it mandatory for tour operators and guides to get registered. It aims to bring the tour operators under the legal framework for ensuring the best services and thus give a boost to the tourism sector. State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Mahbub Ali moved the Bill and it was passed by voice vote. Read: JS passes Bill to enhance HBFC’s capitals and services As per the proposed law, a touring company will have to collect a license. No company will be allowed to operate tours without registration. If anyone does, it would be tried under the Code of Criminal Procedure. The proposed law also has a provision of handing over the registration to another tour operator in case of death, physical and financial incapability. It suggested that criminal acts of the tour operators be tried under the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 aimed at protecting the interest of the tourists. The activities of tour operators, tour guides, general tour guides, cultural guides, nature guides and trekking guides will now be regulated, according to the legislation. Read: Bill placed in JS to set up another science and technology university Now, there’s no guideline and rule for tour operators in the country. The conditions for getting registration, period of registration and provisions for cancellation of registration have been mentioned in the Bill. In the Bill, it has precisely been defined who can be tour operators and tour guides.